Water Flosser Quiz

A water flosser is an effective weapon in the war on tooth decay and gum disease, and using one every morning will help you maintain clean breath and a fresh smile. These handheld devices are fun to use, but a slip of the wrist could lead to face full of the wet stuff or a dripping ceiling. Let's test your smarts when it comes to using a water flossing tool to blast away pesky plaque and germs.

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Question 1 of 21

Water flossers typically have multiple water pressure settings. Which setting should you use?

Start with the highest setting to dislodge plaque.

Begin with the lowest setting and work up from there.

Depending on the condition of your gums and teeth, a high setting may be too aggressive. Until you get the hang of using a flosser, start with the lowest available setting and make adjustments as needed.

Start with a middle setting and move to a higher or lower power flow depending on what's comfortable for you.

Question 2 of 21

Sometimes water and electricity just don't mix. What safety measures are important when using a water flosser?

Don’t use a water flosser while bathing.

Never handle the plug with wet hands.

Both of the above

All of the above. Safe practices when using electrical accessories around water include never handling an outlet plug with wet hands and never using a an electrically powered personal care product when bathing or showering.

Question 3 of 21

Can you eat all your Halloween or other holiday candy in one night and then have a marathon flosser cleaning session?

The longer you water floss, the better your gums will like it.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Restrict your use to the manufacturer's recommendations for the product. Some product instructions recommend cleaning sessions of five minutes or less at not less than two hour intervals. This isn't to keep your gums from drowning. Actually, the motor in the flosser needs time to cool down.

Use a flosser as long as you need to, but be sure to include mouthwash in the water reservoir.

Question 4 of 21

Levi Spear Parmly is widely considered the father of modern dental floss for recommending the use of what substance to clean between teeth?

Thin copper wire

Horse hair

Silk thread

In 1918, Parmly, a New Orleans dentist, advocated using silk thread to clean between teeth.

Question 5 of 21

Water flossers clean teeth and gums, but some varieties also include a special tip to do what?

Clean the tongue

Some water flossers offer a special tongue cleaning tip that removes bacteria and odor-causing sulfur compounds.

Irrigate the throat

Stimulate the tastebuds

Question 6 of 21

Water flossing is effective at removing biofilm. What is this sticky stuff, anyway?

Decayed food residue

A buildup of bacteria

Also referred to as tooth slime, biofilm is a thick bacterial aggregate that accumulates on teeth that aren't brushed properly. Once formed, it can be resistant to conventional brushing and lead to tooth decay.

Plaque

Question 7 of 21

Although you may be able to add your favorite mouthwash to the the water reservoir of some flosser products, what ingredient should you watch out for?

Fluoride

Antibacterial solutions

Check the instructions before adding antibacterial solutions to water flossing equipment.

Hydrogen peroxide

Question 8 of 21

Are water flossers effective in helping to control bleeding and gingivitis?

Yes, but only marginally.

No. Water flossing is too aggressive.

Yes, water flossing can reduce bleeding and gingivitis significantly.

Used daily, water flossing can reduce gingival bleeding significantly, and may be up to 93 percent more effective than string flossing.

Question 9 of 21

Water flossers rely on water pulsation together with specialty probing and cleaning tips. If flossers use cleaning tips, why is the water important?

Pulsing water stimulates blood flow and better circulation.

Pulsing action gets deep under the gum line to remove debris and bacteria.

Although the rapid compression and decompression removes food particles from between teeth, one of the biggest advantages of using a rapid water pulse is to get deep below the gum line to loosen and remove debris and bacteria. A flosser can get as much as three times deeper than other cleaning methods.

Pulsing action blasts food particles from between teeth.

Question 10 of 21

Water flosser products may suggest the addition of mouthwash to the water reservoir, but what do they also recommend?

Using a full strength mouthwash after each use

Rinsing the reservoir after each use

To prolong the life of the reservoir, rinse it after each use if you've included mouthwash or another additive.

Only using mouthwashes that contain alcohol

Question 11 of 21

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, what percentage of Americans have some form of gum disease?

20 percent

75 percent

Three out of every four Americans, or 75 percent, suffer from some form of gum disease.

50 percent

Question 12 of 21

Name the ideal location in which to use a water flosser?

In the shower

Leaning over the sink

Water flossers use a jet of water that can travel a long way. Ideally, you should be leaning over the sink prepared for the flow before you begin flossing. It's a ready-set-go proposition. Otherwise, you may end up with water all over the floor, the walls, your hair, the ceiling . . . you get the idea.

Leaning over the tub

Question 13 of 21

Water flossers can be very effective at removing food and bacteria from braces. About how many new patients receive some sort of orthodontic therapy every year?

2 million

Around 2 million patients begin orthodontic therapy every year. If you've just been outfitted with your own set of braces, you're not alone.

500000

250000

Question 14 of 21

Water flossers can help treat gingivitis symptoms before they result in serious gum disease. What are the symptoms of gingivitis? Hey, you need to know what to look for.

Halitosis and yellowing teeth

Swelling, redness and bleeding

Swelling, redness and bleeding gums are all signs of gingivitis.

Receding gums and white patches

Question 15 of 21

Is gingivitis painful?

Yes. Gingivitis burns and itches.

Yes. Gingivitis can cause gum pain and toothaches.

No. Gingivitis usually isn't painful.

Even though gingivitis can cause bleeding, swelling and redness, and lead to more serious conditions, it typically isn't painful.

Question 16 of 21

Water flossing can help protect gums from peridontal disease. What medical condition causes a greater risk of developing early onset or severe periodontal disease?

Celiac disease

Obesity

Diabetes

That would be diabetes.

Question 17 of 21

What common condition can cause a greater risk for developing gingivitis?

Alcoholism

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes in pregnancy can increase the risk of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Grinding your teeth

Question 18 of 21

Periodontitis can result pockets or gaps in the gums. Do the gaps disappear after treatment?

With proper treatment pockets disappear.

Pockets can remain even after treatment.

Pockets can remain even after treatment, which is one reason a regular dental care regimen is so important. Beyond brushing and conventional string flossing, water flossing is very effective at getting down deep into periodontal pockets to keep them clean and bacteria free.

It depends on the age of the patient.

Question 19 of 21

Can you use a water flosser instead of brushing your teeth?

Yes

No

Maybe

Mr. Molar says shame on you! Trying to skimp on tooth cleaning is just wrong. Actually, the answer to this one is a definite maybe. Some water flossers include a toothbrushing tip that works a bit like an electric toothbrush but adds the power of pulsing water to loosen and wash away food particles and bacteria.